ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Shri Ram Vilas Paswan inauguratesworkshop for State Governments on ‘Standard for Drinking Water’
The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Ram Vilas Paswan today inaugurated the One Day Workshop organized by the Bureau of Indian Standard with the aim to disseminate information about requirements of Indian Standard with specification for Drinking Water  and other Indian Standards so as to ensure that quality drinking water is provided to all households across the nation. This is in keeping with the objectives of the Jal Jeevan Mission of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.The Workshop was inaugurated in the august presence of Minister of StateShri RaosahebDanve, Secretary Consumer Affairs,Shri AvinashK. Srivastavaand DG BIS Shri PramodKumarTiwari.
Addressingmedia after the inauguration, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan stressed on the need for providing safe drinking water to the common public since this is a primary requirement for ensuring health of the public. Shri Paswan emphasized that theCentral Government and BIS were ready to take all necessary steps in this regard and provide necessary handholding support to the State Governments and various agencies. All the discussions that took place were quite productive and States were convinced about the need for enforcement of BIS Water Standards across the nation.
During the workshop, information regarding the certification schemes and testing facilities required for compliance with IS 10500:2012 for providing safe drinking water was also disseminated. The similarities between relevant International Standards, Indian Standard and WHO Guidelines were also explained. Representatives from various States were updated about the measures being taken to ensure supply of safe drinking water and suggestions regarding same were also discussed.
BIS, as per the directions of Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food &Public Distributiondecided to undertake a study of the quality of piped drinking water being supplied in the country in line with the requirements of IS 10500:2012 .The result of testing of the water samples drawn from the Capital Cities of various states indicated that most of the samples did not comply in several parameters with requirements of the Indian Standard.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya reviews progress of Nano Urea production and sales for FY 2022-23
A total of 3.27 crore bottles sold between 1 August 2021 to 10 August 2022
Existing nano urea production capacity at 1.5 lakh bottles per day
6 crore bottles of nano urea - equivalent to 27 lakh MT of conventional urea will be produced and made available to farmers in 2022-23
Union Minister of Chemical and Fertilizers, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed progress of Nano Urea  production and sales for the FY 2022-23, here today. During the meeting he also reviewed progress of nano urea in terms of acceptability by the farmers, its production, supply plan and steps initiated by Dept. of Fertilizers  for enhancing its reach to farmers and retailers.
The Minister was apprised that during the period from 1st April, 2022 to 10th August, 2022 nano urea production and dispatches had been 1.23 crore bottles. From 1st August 2021, a total of 3.27 crore bottles have been sold, of which 2.15 crore bottles were sold during FY 2021-22 and 1.125 crore bottles  during FY 2022-22 up to 10th August 2022. The existing unit of nano urea has a production capacity of 1.5 lakh bottles per day. From September – December, 2022 and January – March 2023; additional 4.60 crore bottles will be produced. Thus, during the FY 2022-23, about 6.0 crore bottles of nano urea will be produced and made available to farmers. These 6.0 crore bottles will be equivalent to 27 lakh MT quantity of conventional urea.
During the review, Dr Mandaviya observed that nano urea is now being widely accepted by farmers across the country. He stated that with the inclusion of Nano Urea in the monthly supply plan of the states by Dept. of Fertilizers, its availability and reach to the farmers will increase manifold. The Minister directed the department officials for promotion of Nano urea in mission mode to harness its benefits. He also directed for sensitization of retailers by organizing retailers’ meetings at periodic intervals in coordination with other state departments. He also pointed out that nano urea promotion and its acceptance by the farmers will indeed be a game changer for the fertilizer scenario of the country.
Nano Urea is an innovative nano fertilizer developed indigenously. It is a perfect example of initiatives undertaken under the AATMANIRBHAR KRISHI & AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT for ensuring food and nutritional security of the nation. Nano Urea is produced by an energy efficient environment friendly production process with less carbon footprints. Its application to crops as foliar fertilization enhances crop productivity to the tune of 8% with commensurate benefits in terms of better soil, air and water, and farmers profitability. Scaling up of production and sales as well as application of Nano Urea will also lead to reduction in green House Gas  emissions over a period of time.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Villages are centrifugal forces in growth and development: Nirmala Sitharaman
Union Finance Minister visits her adopted village; P.M. Lanka in Narsapuram Mandal
Lays foundation to anti-erosion embankment and skill development projects
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a new initiative on Thursday with advanced technologies to secure PM Lanka village from coastal erosion. An amount of Rs 15 crore is granted under pilot project to secure coastal erosion for a stretch of one kilometer.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated in several inaugurations of welfare and development programmes in Pedamainavani Lanka  and Veeravasaram villages of Narsapur Mandal, West Godavari district during her whirlwind tour in West Godavari district.
Addressing the gathering at her adopted village Pedamainavani Lanka she said, “Villages are the centrifugal forces in the growth and development with central government’s initiative – “Sansad Adarsha Grama Yojana” – which changed the outline of many villages in the country”.
Speaking on the occasion, she said, “It feels home when I come from New Delhi to PM Lanka. Villagers have contributed for the development of this village. Since the adoption of village in PM Sansad Adarsha Grama Yojana scheme in 2015 by constructing bio decomposing toilets and imparting training and development centers for unemployed youth in this region which are in progress”.
Earlier in the day, the Union Finance Minister unveiled a plaque to launch Rapid Gravity Filter Project under MPLADS scheme at a cost of Rs 1.25 Crore in Matsypuri village, Veeravasaram mandal of West Godavari district. Later, she inspected the working of Water Purification Centre. This Water Purification Center caters water to 1100 families in Matsyapuri village.
Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister, Shri. Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, State BJP President, Shri. Somu Veerraju, District Collector, and villagers attended the meeting.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
ITPO Organises a Two-day Fair on Leather and Accessories
Kolkata, September 27, 2019
India Trade promotion Organisation  is organising a two-day fair on leather and accessories termed India Leather & Accessories Fair  in association with Central Leather Research Institute and other associations connected with leather industry, which started today in the city.
As many as 61 leading Indian companies are participating in this fair, where leather goods, finished leather, lining leather, industrial gloves, industrial leather goods, chemicals for manufacturing of leather, adhesive machinery components, sewing machines, leather goods accessories and the like have been displayed. Business meetings will be arranged in the midst of the fair between Indian and overseas buyers or importers.
In total 35 confirmed buyers from USA, Korea, Germany, Spain, Italy, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Senegal, Portugal, Uzbekistan, UAE, Poland, Australia, Chile and South Korea are participating in the fair.
A Reverse Buyer Seller Meet and a fashion show will be organised too during the fair.
The Executive Director ITPO, Shri Rajesh Agrawal as well as its General Manager Smt Hema Maity were present among others on the occasion.
The two-day event is going to have visitorship from across the globe apart from India. The fair timing is between 10 am and 6 pm.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
India to provide all support to World AntiDoping Agency to ensure integrity of sport: Shri KirenRijiju
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports , Shri KirenRijiju inaugurated a webinar on Anti-Doping and Sports Science on Monday, which was jointly organized by the National Anti Doping Agency , National Sports University  and National Dope Testing Laboratory .
Also present in the virtual meeting were MrWitold Banka, President, World Anti Doping Agency ;Suniel Shetty, Brand Ambassador, NADA; Shri Ravi Mital, Secretary ; Shri RC Mishra, Vice Chancellor, NSU and Shri Navin Agarwal, DG & CEO, NADA.
Shri Rijiju affirmed to the WADA chief that India would support all efforts to ensure clean sport. “Mr Banka, I am happy to hear from you that India’s contribution to WADA will be utilised toward anti-doping research and strengthening the investigative capabilities of the anti-doping community. India stands firmly for fair play and clean sport, and we shall support all efforts to ensure the integrity of sport,” the Sports Minister said.
Shri Rijiju also mentioned that the NADA is committed in its efforts to get rid of the doping menace and is implementing all the anti-doping rules as laid by the WADA. “I am happy to say that NADA India is committed to dope free sports and continues its ongoing support to the sports fraternity to get rid of the doping menace. It has been adopting and implementing anti-doping rules and policies, which conform to the latest World Anti-Doping Code and international standards,” Shri Rijiju added. Sports Minister also assured the WADA President that NDTL has taken corrective measures on various points suggested by WADA, and hoped that it would soon be allowed to resume dope analysis, as per WADA guidelines.
Actor Suniel Shetty and Brand Ambassador, NADA, praised the initiative saying constant webinars on this topic would help improve the athletes. “I’m so happy for this webinar on anti-doping and I wish we have continuous webinars like this to discuss this topic. This will help our athletes in the long run.”
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Locust control operations conducted today at 15 locations in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
Total 377 spots covering 53,997 hectares covered in six states since 11th April
Locust Control Offices  today conducted control operations at 10 locations in districts of Jaipur, Dausa, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Barmer, Chittorgarh, Sri Ganganagar  and Niwari and Shivpuri . State Department of Agriculture, Madhya Pradesh has also undertaken control operations at 5 locations located one each in districts of Satna, Balaghat, Niwari, Raisen and Shivpuri. No crop loss is reported.
As on 28th May, 2020 a total of 377 spots covering 53,997 hectares has been covered since Locust control operations started from 11th April, 2020. Districts covered by locust control are - Rajasthan – 22, MP – 24, Gujarat – 2, Punjab – 1, UP – 2, Maharashtra -3.
A Video Conference was organized today under the chairmanship of Secretary  Shri Sanjay Agarwal with Principal Secretary  of all the states and UTs. In this meeting, all the states and UTs were informed about the latest status and control of locust attack. After this VC, an advisory has been issued in respect of locust to all the states/UTs and related SOPs has been shared.
On 27.05.2020 a letter was issued by the Union Home Secretary to the Chief Secretaries of all the states/UTs giving necessary instructions to streamline the inter-state movement facility for the personnel engaged in locust control works. Ministry of Home Affairs has included the following items and norms of assistance under SDRF and NDRF-
- Item - Hiring of vehicles, tractors with spray equipments for spraying of plant protection chemicals for pest control; hiring of water tankers; and purchase of plant protection chemicals for locust control.
- Norm- The quantum of assistance will be limited to the actual expenditure incurred on these items. However, expenditure should not exceed 25% of SDRF allocation for the year.
As per FAOs locust status Bulletin of 27th May, 2020, in Pakistan and Iran adults are forming groups and small swarms in spring breeding areas in Baluchistan, Indus Valley  and southern coast and parts of Sistan-Baluchistan. These infestations will move to the summer breeding areas along the Indo-Pakistan from Cholistan to Tharparkar. In India, Spring-bred immature adult groups and swarms continued to move east and to the central states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Much of these movements were associated with strong westerly winds from Cyclone Amphan. Several successive waves of invasions can be expected until July in Rajasthan with eastward surges across northern India as far as Bihar and Orissa followed by westward movements and a return to Rajasthan on the changing winds associated with the monsoon. These movements will cease as swarms begin to breed and become less mobile. Swarms are less likely to reach south India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Agriculture Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar launches All India Agri Transport Call Centre numbers 18001804200 and 14488 to facilitate inter-state movement of perishables during lockdown
(The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar launched the All India Agri Transport Call Centre at a function in Krishi Bhavan today to facilitate inter-state movement of perishables in the current situation of lockdown due to the COVID-19 threat. The Call Centre numbers are 18001804200 and 14488. These numbers can be called from any mobile or landline phones any time of the day or night.
The 24x7 service All India Agri Transport Call Centre is an initiative of the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare , Government of India for coordination between States for inter-state movement of perishables - Vegetables & Fruits, Agri Inputs like seeds, pesticides and fertilizer etc.
Truck drivers and helpers, traders, retailers, transporters farmers, manufacturers or any other stakeholder who is facing problems in inter-state movement of agricultural, horticultural or any other perishable commodities besides seeds and fertilizers may seek help by calling at the Call Centre. Call Center Executives will forward the vehicle & consignment details along with the help needed, to State Government officials for resolution of issues.
Operated by the IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Limited  from their offices in Faridabad, Haryana, the Call Centre lines will initially be manned by 10 customer executives round the clock in 3 shifts of 8 hour each. The Call Centre service may be escalated to full capacity of 20 seats based on requirements. The Call Centre Executives will also maintain records and verify the disposal of problem as the case may be.
The Ministers of State  Shri Parshottam Rupala and Shri Kailash Choudhary, Secretary , Shri Sanjay Agarwal, and senior officers of the Ministry were present during the launch function of the All India Agri Transport Call Centre. The 24x7 Call Centre service is part of several measures undertaken by the DAC&FW to facilitate the farmers and farming activities at field level during the lockdown period.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
CCI approves acquisition of majority stake in Indira IVF by Zonnebaars and amalgamation of Spaceway Wellness into Indira IVF
The Competition Commission of India  has approved acquisition of majority stake in Indira IVF by Zonnebaars and amalgamation of Spaceway Wellness into Indira IVF.
The proposed combination envisages:
- acquisition of majority shareholding of Indira IVF Hospital Private Limited  by Zonnebaars Netherlands B.V. ; and
- amalgamation of Spaceway Wellness Private Limited  with and into Indira IVF.
Zonnebaars is a part of the EQT group of investment funds, which together with its subsidiaries and funds is a global investment organisation.
Indira IVF is primarily engaged in the provision of fertility and in vitro fertilisation treatment through its hospitals/centres across India.
Spaceway is one of the promoters of Indira IVF.
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
Ministry of Defence
'SWACHHTA HI SEWA' Campaign at New Delhi
'Swachhta Hi Sewa' campaign was celebrated in all Naval Areas at New Delhi between 15 September to 02 October 2018. Celebrations of 'Rashtriya Swachhta Diwas' on 02 October 2018 marked the culmination of the event. Residents of all residential areas undertook 'Shramdan' in cleaning the common areas and open spaces, planting of trees, sprucing up the area besides removal of roadside vegetation. A poster cum slogan competition for children on the occasion also saw huge enthusiastic participation. Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff and Mrs Reena Lamba, President Naval Wives Welfare Association visited the Naraina Bagh residential area to join the residents in tree plantation and conduct of poster essay competition.
PIB Headquarters
RBI to issue Rs. 20 denomination banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi Series
The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue Rs. 20/ denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi-2005 Series. The new batch of 20 banknotes will have inset letter “S” in both the number panels, bearing the signature of Dr. Urjit R. Patel, Governor, Reserve Bank of India. The design of these banknotes to be issued will be similar in all respects to Rs. 20/ banknotes in the same series issued earlier.
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Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Kaushal Acharya Awards
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship  launched the National Skill Development Mission  in 2015 to provide a strong institutional framework to implement and scale up skill development efforts across the country through short term and long term training.
MSDE launched the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna  to mobilize youth to take up skill training with the aim of increasing productivity and aligning the training and certification to the needs of the country. Owing to success of PMKVY 1.0 wherein more than 19 lakh students were trained as against the target of 24 lakh, the scheme was re-launched as PMKVY 2.0  with an aim to train 10 million youth by the year 2020.
Based on the learning from first phase of the scheme, changes were made under PMKVY  to ensure quality and standardization which, inter alia, include steps such as: one stop web-based solution for Centre Accreditation, Accreditation Standards Grading Metrics to benchmark the Training Centers  across the country, evaluation of TCs for their performance related to Monitoring Standards such as placements, branding, infrastructure etc., mandating Aadhaar Based Biometric attendance for Trainees, Trainers and Assessors, incentivizing Training Centers for providing placement to trained candidates.
The Government has taken a number of other steps to enhance the quality of skill training throughout the country. These, inter alia, include notification of National Skills Qualification Framework  as a competency based framework to be adopted by all skill development programmes, establishment of Sector Skill Councils  as industry led bodies to develop National Occupational Standards, focus on apprenticeship training and laying down of common norms for standardization of inputs and outcomes.
Directorate General of Training , Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship  is entrusted with the responsibility of long term vocational training in the Country. The Long term training is imparted through 15,042 Industrial Training Institutes . Initiatives for improving quality of Industrial Training Institutes  include, formulation of new affiliation norms, grading to evaluate their performance, ISO 29990 certification to raise the overall quality and standards, regular inspection of ITIs, regular up-gradation of training content of ITI curriculum as per industrial requirement etc.
On the occasion of Teacher's day, MSDE honoured 53 trainers from diverse backgrounds with the Kaushal Acharya Awards for outstanding contribution in creating a future-ready and skilled workforce. The ministry further announced that Kaushal Acharya Awards will become an annual affair.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri R.K. Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
Telephone conversation between Prime Minister and His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on phone today with His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel.
He reiterated his warm congratulations for Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent assumption of office, and expressed confidence that the India-Israel partnership would continue to flourish under PM Netanyahu's leadership and guidance.
The leaders discussed the potential areas in which India and Israel could expand their cooperation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including research and development efforts in the fields of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. They agreed to maintain the ongoing exchanges between expert teams of both countries, and also concurred that the fruits of such collaboration should be made available for the wider benefit of humanity.
The leaders reviewed other important topics on the bilateral agenda, and agreed that the post-COVID world would create further avenues for mutually beneficial partnerships in many areas. In particular, they assessed tremendous scope for expanding the already robust India-Israel collaboration in areas like health technology, agricultural innovation, defence-cooperation and information technology.
Both leaders agreed to remain in regular touch to share assessments and consult each other on the emerging opportunities and challenges in the changing global scenario.
Competition Commission of India
CCI receives notice relating to acquisition of equity stake in PNB Housing Finance Limited by Pluto Investments S.à r.l. and Salisbury Investments Private Limited, under Green Channel and is deemed approved
The Competition Commission of India  received a notice relating to acquisition of equity stake in PNB Housing Finance Limited  by Pluto Investments S.à r.l.  and Salisbury Investments Private Limited , under Green Channel. Notice received under the Green Channel is deemed to be approved under regulation 5A of the Competition Commission of India  Regulations, 2011.
Pluto is a newly established special purpose vehicle incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg and does not have any business activities in India. It is majority owned and controlled by investment funds known as Carlyle Asia Partners V, all being advised by affiliates of the Carlyle Group Inc. . The Carlyle Group is a global alternative asset manager, which manages funds that invest in different disciplines such as global private equity, global credit, and investment solutions.
Salisbury is a non-banking finance company and is primarily engaged in the business of making investments in financial securities.
Target is a housing finance company registered with the National Housing Bank. It is engaged in the business of offering housing and non-housing loans to retail customers. It is also engaged in provision of construction finance loans to real estate developers for residential housing projects.